Superlative Adjectives
Adjectives describe nouns, and superlatives show the highest degree of a quality. This guide covers how to form and use superlative adjectives in German, with examples and key vocabulary.
Formation
German expresses superlatives with am + adjective + -sten for adverbial uses, or adjective + -ste(n) for attributive uses with a noun. Learn whether to use the comparative, the absolute form, or the superlative ending.
Attributive Superlative
Attributive superlatives appear before a noun and take adjective endings according to gender, case, and number. They can use der/die/das or possessives to trigger the correct ending.
Adverbial Superlative
The adverbial superlative modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs and appears as am + adjective + -sten without an article. It functions like an adverb and does not take adjective endings.
Absolute Form
The absolute form emphasizes an adjective without direct comparison, often using intensifiers like sehr or extrem. It appears as the base adjective and can be more natural than a forced superlative.
Comparative vs Superlative
The comparative (e.g. besser) compares two or more items, while the superlative shows the highest degree. Use the comparative to highlight differences and the superlative to rank or emphasize the top quality.
Key Vocabulary
Familiar signal words guide whether to use the comparative, superlative, or absolute adjective. These triggers help you choose the correct form in contexts like markets, reviews, and everyday descriptions.
| German Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| am besten | best (adverbial superlative) |
| der/die/das beste | the best (attributive superlative) |
| sehr gut | very good (absolute form) |
| besser | better (comparative) |
| extrem lecker | extremely tasty (absolute form) |
| viel mehr | much more |
| fast der schönste | almost the most beautiful |
| German Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🗼 Das Hotel ist sauberer als das Hostel. | The hotel is cleaner than the hostel. |
| 🌇 Die Aussicht vom Dach ist am schönsten. | The view from the roof is the most beautiful. |
| 🍵 Der Kaffee hier schmeckt besser als dort. | The coffee here tastes better than there. |
| 🧳 Das Hostel ist günstiger als das Hotel. | The hostel is cheaper than the hotel. |
| 🏖️ Wir hatten den tollsten Tag am Strand. | We had the most wonderful day at the beach. |
Summary
German superlatives use am + adjective + -sten for adverbial forms and adjective endings for attributive forms. The absolute adjective keeps the base form and accepts intensifiers, while comparatives sit between two items. Practice with market and food examples to feel natural in choosing each form.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025